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Chris Wesseling

Waiver Wired

Retreaded in Detroit

As I wrote in Monday’s Morning After column, I came away impressed with Kevin Smith’s acceleration, change-of-direction, lateral agility, and three-down skills despite the obvious caveat that his career game came against the most generous defense in the league. This is the same team that made Chris Johnson look passable after all. What shouldn’t be glossed over is Smith drastically outplaying Johnson, nearly doubling his per-carry average (8.8 to 4.8) while adding 15.3 yards per reception.

Evan Silva went back and watched the game on NFL Rewind, opining that Smith looked “very ordinary” against a defense that held a “bad-tackling clinic.” Silva came away more excited about exploiting running-back matchups against Carolina the rest of the way while noting that Smith still has plenty of fantasy value due to projected volume of touches, especially as a receiver in the Lions’ pass-heavy offense. Smith was rock-solid in pass protection, and the coaching staff has always appreciated his sure hands and run-after-catch ability. After the first quarter, Smith had 19 touches to Maurice Morris’ four and Keiland Williams’ zero.

The Lions made the depth chart switch official on Tuesday, giving Smith the first-team reps in preparation for the Thanksgiving matchup with the Packers. Healthy and fresh, Smith is going to be the lead-back going forward. The Lions aren’t going to force-feed Jahvid Best more than 10 touches per game once he does return, perhaps in Week 13 against the Vikings. Ideally, Best would take on a Darren Sproles role in preparation for a playoff run, leaving Smith to handle the Pierre Thomas and Mark Ingram touches.

As Gregg Rosenthal points out in this week’s Fantasy Fix, none of the Week 11 breakout candidates at wide receiver are particularly trustworthy. Jerome Simpson blows up a couple of times a year, but he’s not a player who can be counted on weekly. It’s a good week to scan through the players who have been dropped, such as Santana Moss, Jacoby Ford, or perhaps even Denarius Moore.

I would be remiss if I didn't thank @SPYDERMAN20 for this week's column title which narrowly won out over @austineatsworld's "Oh, Thank Kevin," @perrysantiques' "Smith & Wesseling, Packing Heat," and several dozen references to the eponymous director of Clerks, Mall Rats, Chasing Amy, and Dogma.

On to the players. Here is how I rank the top players at each position as we head into Week 12. Full writeups of each player are below.

Editor’s Note: Join subscriber only chats, get weekly rankings before anyone else, plus exclusive weekly projections, stat tools, dynasty ranks, columns, and much more including the Rotoworld Oracle in our Season Pass.

Kevin Smith, Lions - Smith took the first-team reps in Tuesday’s practice after putting a stranglehold on the feature-back job in the final three quarters of the comeback win over the Panthers. As delicate as Jahvid Best is at this point, the Lions aren’t going to give him more than 10 touches per game when he does return -- perhaps in Week 13. That leaves Smith with the most value in this backfield going forward. In what should be a Thanksgiving shootout with the Packers, Smith’s receiving ability should maintain RB2 value even if the running lanes aren’t nearly as wide as they were in Week 11. He’s easily the top waiver option this week.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.

C.J. Spiller, Bills - Fred Jackson’s calf is reportedly “very, very sore.” He’s already been ruled out of Wednesday’s practice, leaving Spiller to handle the first-team reps in preparation for the Jets rematch. While Spiller has shown flashes of talent the past season and a half, he’s still unproven as a feature back. We have more confidence in his receiving ability, leaving him as a better option in PPR formats should F-Jax sit out.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.

Donald Brown, Colts - After functioning as the lead-back in Week 10, Brown would be higher on this list if the Colts would tip their hand on the backfield plans for Week 12. Per coach Jim Caldwell, there is a “possibility” that Joseph Addai (hamstring) will play this week, leaving Brown’s role up in the air. If that role solidifies by week’s end, Brown is going to fly up the running back rankings against a Panthers defense that has surrendered 375 yards and four touchdowns to Chris Johnson and Kevin Smith the past two weeks.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.

Toby Gerhart, Vikings - In Tuesday’s Daily Dose, Adam Levitan addressed the reluctance inherent in picking up Gerhart his week. Adrian Peterson is reportedly out 1-2 weeks, leaving Gerhart as the feature back against a Falcons defense giving up just 3.8 yards per carry and the 31st-most fantasy points to opposing backs. Gerhart did touch the ball 19 times for 95 yards in a spot start versus the Bears late last season, but he’s a poor bet to reach those numbers against a smothering defense with Percy Harvin taking on an increased backfield role. Gerhart won’t be a recommended RB2 option for Week 12.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.

Joe McKnight, Jets - Shonn Greene (ribs) expects to play in Week 12, insisting that his rib injury isn’t a significant issue. Greene did reveal after last week’s game that the coaching staff opted to stick with McKnight’s hot hand in the second half, suggesting a possible change in game plan against the Bills. McKnight can’t be counted on as a fantasy starter at this point, but that could change in the next week or two. He offers more play-making ability than Greene.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.

Ryan Grant, Packers - James Starks is day-to-day with knee and ankle sprains sustained on the same play after having his leg twisted backwards. Even if Starks misses Thursday’s game at Detroit, Grant is merely a desperation fantasy play. He’s not involved in the pass-heavy attack while John Kuhn and even B.J. Raji have gotten the call at the goal-line of late.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.

Javon Ringer, Titans - Since 1960, only 100 backs have ever carried the ball as many as 12 times without topping 13 yards. This is the state of Chris Johnson in Week 11 of the 2011 season. As hesitant at the line as any back I’ve ever seen, Johnson is arguably the worst in the NFL right now. Ringer should be rostered in case the Titans decide they can’t put up with the hemming and hawing any longer.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.

Marion Barber, Bears - As a player who touches the ball 6-10 times, Barber isn’t my kind of fantasy back even if he’s been given the opportunity for short touchdowns in four of the past five games. Barber can’t ever be trusted in standard-scoring leagues as long as Matt Forte is healthy, but he’s finding the end zone enough to be utilized in touchdown-heavy formats.

Recommendation: Should be owned in touchdown-heavy leagues.

Montario Hardesty, Browns - Coach Pat Shurmur intends to be “cautious” with Hardesty (calf) this week after Chris Ogbonnaya cleared 100 scrimmage yards for the second straight game. If Hardesty gets the green light this week, I expect him to play behind Ogbonnaya at Cincinnati. Tough matchups follow against the Ravens and Steelers the next two weeks.

To the surprise of no one who’s watched him the past two years, Choice averaged 1.17 yards on six carries in his Redskins debut. … Vereen was impressive in garbage time Monday night, but he’s going to have to do quite a bit of depth-chart climbing before hitting the fantasy radar.

Morris saw just four touches to 19 for Kevin Smith after the first quarter in Week 11. … Powell was pedestrian in his NFL debut. … Jones pulled a hamstring last week. … Rodgers appeared to fall behind Jason Snelling against the Titans.

As I wrote in Monday’s Morning After column, I came away impressed with Kevin Smith’s acceleration, change-of-direction, lateral agility, and three-down skills despite the obvious caveat that his career game came against the most generous defense in the league. This is the same team that made Chris Johnson look passable after all. What shouldn’t be glossed over is Smith drastically outplaying Johnson, nearly doubling his per-carry average (8.8 to 4.8) while adding 15.3 yards per reception.

Evan Silva went back and watched the game on NFL Rewind, opining that Smith looked “very ordinary” against a defense that held a “bad-tackling clinic.” Silva came away more excited about exploiting running-back matchups against Carolina the rest of the way while noting that Smith still has plenty of fantasy value due to projected volume of touches, especially as a receiver in the Lions’ pass-heavy offense. Smith was rock-solid in pass protection, and the coaching staff has always appreciated his sure hands and run-after-catch ability. After the first quarter, Smith had 19 touches to Maurice Morris’ four and Keiland Williams’ zero.

The Lions made the depth chart switch official on Tuesday, giving Smith the first-team reps in preparation for the Thanksgiving matchup with the Packers. Healthy and fresh, Smith is going to be the lead-back going forward. The Lions aren’t going to force-feed Jahvid Best more than 10 touches per game once he does return, perhaps in Week 13 against the Vikings. Ideally, Best would take on a Darren Sproles role in preparation for a playoff run, leaving Smith to handle the Pierre Thomas and Mark Ingram touches.

As Gregg Rosenthal points out in this week’s Fantasy Fix, none of the Week 11 breakout candidates at wide receiver are particularly trustworthy. Jerome Simpson blows up a couple of times a year, but he’s not a player who can be counted on weekly. It’s a good week to scan through the players who have been dropped, such as Santana Moss, Jacoby Ford, or perhaps even Denarius Moore.

I would be remiss if I didn't thank @SPYDERMAN20 for this week's column title which narrowly won out over @austineatsworld's "Oh, Thank Kevin," @perrysantiques' "Smith & Wesseling, Packing Heat," and several dozen references to the eponymous director of Clerks, Mall Rats, Chasing Amy, and Dogma.

On to the players. Here is how I rank the top players at each position as we head into Week 12. Full writeups of each player are below.

Editor’s Note: Join subscriber only chats, get weekly rankings before anyone else, plus exclusive weekly projections, stat tools, dynasty ranks, columns, and much more including the Rotoworld Oracle in our Season Pass.

Kevin Smith, Lions - Smith took the first-team reps in Tuesday’s practice after putting a stranglehold on the feature-back job in the final three quarters of the comeback win over the Panthers. As delicate as Jahvid Best is at this point, the Lions aren’t going to give him more than 10 touches per game when he does return -- perhaps in Week 13. That leaves Smith with the most value in this backfield going forward. In what should be a Thanksgiving shootout with the Packers, Smith’s receiving ability should maintain RB2 value even if the running lanes aren’t nearly as wide as they were in Week 11. He’s easily the top waiver option this week.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.

C.J. Spiller, Bills - Fred Jackson’s calf is reportedly “very, very sore.” He’s already been ruled out of Wednesday’s practice, leaving Spiller to handle the first-team reps in preparation for the Jets rematch. While Spiller has shown flashes of talent the past season and a half, he’s still unproven as a feature back. We have more confidence in his receiving ability, leaving him as a better option in PPR formats should F-Jax sit out.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.

Donald Brown, Colts - After functioning as the lead-back in Week 10, Brown would be higher on this list if the Colts would tip their hand on the backfield plans for Week 12. Per coach Jim Caldwell, there is a “possibility” that Joseph Addai (hamstring) will play this week, leaving Brown’s role up in the air. If that role solidifies by week’s end, Brown is going to fly up the running back rankings against a Panthers defense that has surrendered 375 yards and four touchdowns to Chris Johnson and Kevin Smith the past two weeks.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.

Toby Gerhart, Vikings - In Tuesday’s Daily Dose, Adam Levitan addressed the reluctance inherent in picking up Gerhart his week. Adrian Peterson is reportedly out 1-2 weeks, leaving Gerhart as the feature back against a Falcons defense giving up just 3.8 yards per carry and the 31st-most fantasy points to opposing backs. Gerhart did touch the ball 19 times for 95 yards in a spot start versus the Bears late last season, but he’s a poor bet to reach those numbers against a smothering defense with Percy Harvin taking on an increased backfield role. Gerhart won’t be a recommended RB2 option for Week 12.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.

Joe McKnight, Jets - Shonn Greene (ribs) expects to play in Week 12, insisting that his rib injury isn’t a significant issue. Greene did reveal after last week’s game that the coaching staff opted to stick with McKnight’s hot hand in the second half, suggesting a possible change in game plan against the Bills. McKnight can’t be counted on as a fantasy starter at this point, but that could change in the next week or two. He offers more play-making ability than Greene.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.

Ryan Grant, Packers - James Starks is day-to-day with knee and ankle sprains sustained on the same play after having his leg twisted backwards. Even if Starks misses Thursday’s game at Detroit, Grant is merely a desperation fantasy play. He’s not involved in the pass-heavy attack while John Kuhn and even B.J. Raji have gotten the call at the goal-line of late.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.

Javon Ringer, Titans - Since 1960, only 100 backs have ever carried the ball as many as 12 times without topping 13 yards. This is the state of Chris Johnson in Week 11 of the 2011 season. As hesitant at the line as any back I’ve ever seen, Johnson is arguably the worst in the NFL right now. Ringer should be rostered in case the Titans decide they can’t put up with the hemming and hawing any longer.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.

Marion Barber, Bears - As a player who touches the ball 6-10 times, Barber isn’t my kind of fantasy back even if he’s been given the opportunity for short touchdowns in four of the past five games. Barber can’t ever be trusted in standard-scoring leagues as long as Matt Forte is healthy, but he’s finding the end zone enough to be utilized in touchdown-heavy formats.

Recommendation: Should be owned in touchdown-heavy leagues.

Montario Hardesty, Browns - Coach Pat Shurmur intends to be “cautious” with Hardesty (calf) this week after Chris Ogbonnaya cleared 100 scrimmage yards for the second straight game. If Hardesty gets the green light this week, I expect him to play behind Ogbonnaya at Cincinnati. Tough matchups follow against the Ravens and Steelers the next two weeks.

To the surprise of no one who’s watched him the past two years, Choice averaged 1.17 yards on six carries in his Redskins debut. … Vereen was impressive in garbage time Monday night, but he’s going to have to do quite a bit of depth-chart climbing before hitting the fantasy radar.

Morris saw just four touches to 19 for Kevin Smith after the first quarter in Week 11. … Powell was pedestrian in his NFL debut. … Jones pulled a hamstring last week. … Rodgers appeared to fall behind Jason Snelling against the Titans.

Quarterbacks

Vince Young, Eagles - VY is still owned in less than 20 percent of CBSSports.com leagues while pedestrian fantasy options such as Alex Smith and Andy Dalton are owned in roughly 70 percent. The Eagles are reportedly optimistic that Michael Vick (ribs) will play this week, though coach Andy Reid conceded that wouldn’t have happened had the game occurred on Monday. With a Week 12 matchup against a Patriots defense allowing the third-most points to opposing fantasy quarterbacks, Young should be rostered as a low-end QB1 option should Vick miss another game.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.

Caleb Hanie, Bears - There are six games left in the season. In four of those games, Hanie plays against defenses allowing top-five production to opposing fantasy quarterbacks. What little we know of Hanie is that OC Mike Martz isn’t crazy about him, and that he provided a spark by playing like he belonged on the field in the NFC Championship game last season. Jay Cutler was 18th in fantasy scoring through 10 weeks, so don’t expect more than QB2 production out of Hanie even with the attractive schedule.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.

Matt Moore, Dolphins - In the past three weeks, Moore boasts two of the five highest-rated games of the season, according to ESPN’s Total QBR. Unfortunately, those are the only two games all season that he’s managed to accrue 20 fantasy points. He’s a better NFL than fantasy QB in a conservative offense that complements a defense that hasn’t allowed a touchdown in three games.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.

Jake Locker, Titans - Last week’s relief appearance at Atlanta was a reminder that Locker is a supreme NFL athlete with a Jay Cutler arm and accuracy issues. The No. 8 overall pick provided an immediate spark to a previously lifeless offense, throwing downfield bullets while leading two touchdown drives in a quarter and a half. Keep in mind that Matt Hasselbeck (elbow) isn’t certain to miss this week’s game against the Bucs. Even as a tantalizing physical talent, Locker’s production will be erratic should he take over for Hasselbeck down the stretch.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues and all keeper formats.

Rex Grossman, Redskins - John Beck’s confident public persona notwithstanding, he was a timid passer, afraid to test defenses down the field. Grossman is essentially the opposite, willing to make any throw however inadvisable. For fantasy purposes, at least, that makes Grossman a substantial upgrade. I just can’t bring myself to trust him not to throw it to the defensive backs on the Seahawks and Jets the next two weeks.

Beat writer Phillip B. Wilson has been pushing for Orlovsky to get the call over Curtis Painter coming out of the bye week, but the Colts have been predictably tight-lipped about their QB situation. … Flynn and Hill are the best of the QB handcuffs. … Stanzi could get a look later in the year after Tyler Palko faceplants.

Bradford has managed to find the end zone just five times in eight games. With both starting tackles out, it’s time to give up the ghost in 12-and 14-team leagues. … McCoy’s schedule is brutal over the final six weeks.

Wide Receivers

Santana Moss, Redskins - Moss will try to practice on Wednesday after missing a month with a hand injury. Rex Grossman is at least moving the offensive aggressively between the 20s, picking up the pace from a timid John Beck. As soon as Moss proves healthy, he’s the No. 1 option in the passing game, with attractive matchups against the Patriots and Vikings in Weeks 13 and 15.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.

Riley Cooper, Eagles - One week after losing the snap battle 60-23 versus Steve Smith, Cooper won out 66-7 while posting a 5/75/1 line against the Giants. Jeremy Maclin (hamstring, shoulder) was reportedly behind Michael Vick in rehab progress last week, leaving his status in question for Week 12 against a Patriots defense still allowing the most fantasy points to opposing receivers.

Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play.

Jerome Simpson, Bengals - Simpson is 33rd in fantasy points this season, but he’s managed to clear 50 yards just three times all season. More than half of his 68.2 fantasy points have come in the three games that he’s cleared 100 yards. Pick him up if you’re feeling luck, but Simpson is likely to disappoint against the Browns’ Joe Haden and the Steelers’ Ike Taylor the next two weeks if A.J. Green (knee) can’t make it back.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.

Nate Burleson, Lions - Burleson has reclaimed his role as the second option in the Lions passing game heading into the Thanksgiving matchup against a Packers defense allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing receivers. Burleson has as many receptions the past two games (15) as he had total in Weeks 3-8. Thursday’s game should have the highest over-under the NFL this week.

Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play.

Greg Little, Browns - The improvement is incremental, but Little has become a more efficient receiver the past two weeks, totaling 11 receptions and 143 yards on 14 targets. The downside is that he’s yet to find the end zone with upcoming AFC North matchups against the Bengals, Ravens, and Steelers the next three weeks.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.

Jacoby Ford, Raiders - Ford didn’t practice last week and remains without a timetable for a return. Considered a poor man’s Steve Smith, Ford is talented enough to merit consideration as a roster stash now that the bye-week crunch is over. He could be back on the WR3 radar for matchups against the soft defenses of the Chiefs and Chargers in the final two weeks of the season.

Recommendation: Worth a stash in 12-team leagues.

Jabar Gaffney, Redskins - One of these games is not like the others. Lacking play-making ability, Gaffney hadn’t topped 70 yards or five receptions before the 7/115/1 performance against the Cowboys. With Santana Moss (hand) set to return this week or next, Gaffney will slide back into the No. 2 role. He’s still just a mediocre option for those in PPR formats.

Cribbs is finding the end zone, but that’s not something fantasy owners can count on consistently in a putrid offense. … Williams isn’t valuable as the slot receiver in a run-dominant offense. … Benn is a classic tease.

James Jones has either zero or one reception in four of the past five games while Donald Driver’s role has increased. In fact, Randall Cobb played more snaps in Week 11. … Donald Jones is out 3-6 weeks. … Gibson is about to be passed by Clayton. … Pettis simply isn’t producing.

Tight Ends

Jacob Tamme, Colts - As we mentioned last week, Tamme was heavily targeted once Dan Orlovsky replaced Curtis Painter at quarterback in Week 10. Should Dallas Clark (lower leg) miss this week’s game against the Panthers -- as tentatively expected -- Tamme could be played as a borderline TE1 in PPR formats.

Recommendation: Worth a look in PPR leagues.

Jared Cook, Titans - Keep an eye on the Titans’ QB situation. In just a quarter and a half of action, rookie Jake Locker targeted the athletic Cook five times. The way he’s gone all season, Cook is more of an upside stash as opposed to a plug ‘n’ play for Week 12 versus the Bucs. Cook has friendly matchups against the Bills, Saints, and Jaguars in three of the next four weeks.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.

Anthony Fasano, Dolphins - Fasano is never a great bet for consistent TE1 production, but Matt Moore has breathed life into his season since taking over for Chad Henne. Having found the end zone four times in the past five weeks, Fasana draws a Cowboys defense that hasn’t stopped opposing tight ends all season long.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.

Tony Scheffler, Lions - Only four tight ends have more than Scheffler’s five touchdowns this season. While his role between the 20s is virtually nil, Scheffler is a decent bet for a score against a Packers defense allowing the fourth-most points to opposing tight ends.

Chandler should see an increased role with Fred Jackson (calf) banged up and Donald Jones (ankle) out of the lineup once again. … Lewis is coming off a season-high seven catches and 64 yards. He won’t repeat that unless Blaine Gabbert posts back-to-back solid games for the first time all year. … Boss’ five Week 11 receptions were his most in an Oakland uniform. Make him do it again before picking him up.

Patriots - It’s time to start thinking about fantasy playoff matchups for defenses. Coming off three sacks, three picks, and a punt-return touchdown against the Chiefs, the Patriots have a sweet schedule down the stretch. Weeks 14-16 offer matchups against Rex Grossman, Tim Tebow, and Matt Moore.

Recommendation: Worth a look for the fantasy playoffs.

Titans - Tennessee’s schedule boasts only two plus matchups in the fantasy playoffs, but they couldn’t be more lopsided. The Titans draw the NFL’s 31st-ranked Colts offense in Week 15 before hosting the Jaguars’ league-worst offense in fantasy championship Week 16.

Chris Wesseling is a senior football editor and Dynasty league analyst for Rotoworld.com. The 2011 NFL season marks his fifth year with Rotoworld and his third year contributing to NBCSports.com. He can be found on Twitter @ChrisWesseling.Email :Chris Wesseling